This documentary is a confessional, cautionary and occasionally humorous tale of Robbie Robertson’s life and the creation of one of the most enduring groups in the history of popular music, The Band. The film is a moving story of Robertson’s personal journey, overcoming adversity and finding camaraderie alongside the four other men who would become brothers in music and who together made their mark on music history. Once Were Brothers blends rare archival footage, iconic songs and interviews with many of Robertson’s friends and collaborators including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Martin Scorsese, Peter Gabriel, Taj Mahal, Dominique Robertson, Ronnie Hawkins and more.

“A good primer on the group’s formation, influences and rise.” —
Ben Kenigsberg, New York Times

“Even at its most painful, The Band’s story captures something golden, incendiary and wistfully beautiful – ‘so beautiful,’ Robertson reflects, ‘that it went up in flames.’” —
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

“It’s no surprise to anyone who’s met him or even listened thoughtfully to some of the greatest rock songs ever written that Robertson would be such an articulate and ingratiating tour guide through all this glorious and eventually tortured history.” —
Chris Willman, Variety